I've spent the day going through myspace pages, starting with my oldest daughter's and checking each of her "friends" myspace pages for any current pictures or messages from her in hopes of finding out how and where she is.

In doing so, I came across one's page who had a video called Downtowners on it.

Downtowners is 47 minute documentary film that shares the voices of young people who are homeless in Olympia Washington, as they explore issues such as sexual violence, public space, gender roles, street culture, and community perceptions. These voices inspire a connection and understanding seldom experienced by those who lack direct experience with the streets. Often referred to as "at-risk", "marginalized", or "disadvantaged", these youth and young adults live on the fringes of society, and their struggles include uncertainty, instability, barriers to resources and lack of support in creating solutions. In an effort to raise awareness by deepening the dialogue about issues of youth homelessness and sexual violence, Downtowners introduces street life from the perspective of the young people who live it.

I know most of these kids personally, having met them through my oldest daughter. They are her family. I'm sure some of you have come in contact with them or may possibly even work to help them. I had no idea a video on their lives and lifestyles had been made.

I never did find anything out about my daughters well-being or whereabouts but found this video to be very profound and worth watching. To hear the dreams and goals of these kids broke my heart. I always heard how they liked their life, didn't want to ever go to another school again. To hear the child in them come out in the video is a side of them I never knew or saw. Now I know they have to act and be tough in order to survive but it really isn't the way they are.

Here are a few videos and photos from yesterday's May Day Events:

link to photoset

1421: the year China discovered America? offers a controversial history lesson. Even without the intrigue of mystery, the gorgeous boat models and vicarious travel made this film worth checking out.

Greetings all -

I'm asking anyone with photos, video clips and stories to share to help me with a multimedia project to help those still struggling with unmet needs following the devasting floods of December 3 last year. Long after the news attack helicopters have roared off to the Next Big Thing people continue to live with their homes in ruin and lives turned upside down.

So the first video because I think it's hilarious. The second video because it's real.

"The problem always is, how can you, as an individual activist, really make a difference? The world is so vast, so complex, sometimes you despair of making any kind of difference. I think the real lesson to be learnt from what Henry has done is that you can make a difference." ~Peter Singer

I just discovered that the MoMA is posting videos on YouTube. Chuck Close, a native of our Pacific NW, speaks here about process and painting (primarily). I think he's a pretty interesting artist.

Here's a link to video that was posted recently on the Portland Independent Media Center's website: link.